Navigating the Quest for Your School IQ Test Results from 1966

How to Find Your School IQ Test Results from 1966

Discovering your IQ test results from over five decades ago may seem like a tall task, but with the right approach, it's possible. Here's how you can go about it.

Consulting School Administration Offices

The first place to start is your school administration office or your county school board, especially if you took the test and have access to your transcripts. This is the most straightforward method. If your school records are still maintained, they can provide you with valuable information.

State-Specific Records Retention Policies

In many states, school records, including IQ test results, are mandated to be kept for a specified period. For example, in New Jersey, the schools must retain records for 100 years.

To request these records, you can do the following:

Mail a formal request to the appropriate office. Fax the request to the NJSBA Custodian of Records at 609-695-1577. Contact Carl Tanksley Esq., the Custodian of Records, at 609-278-5254 for further assistance. Email Carl Tanksley at

Make sure to provide your complete information to ensure that your request is processed correctly.

Legal Means to Access Your Data

Another option is to make a formal request under the Data Protection Act. This act requires government bodies to provide you with your personal data within a reasonable timeframe and without an excessive fee.

Given the long time since your test, it's essential to keep in mind that physical records from such a long time ago may be rare or in a secure location for preservation. Even if they do exist, they might be in a massive warehouse akin to the final scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Challenges and Considerations

Here are some points to consider:

Most schools may not retain IQ test results after a certain period, especially if it was over 50 years ago. If the records are still in existence, they would likely be in a physical format and might be costly and challenging to retrieve. Your chances of finding the results increase if you can locate the specific school that administered the test.

Past Experiences

My personal experience echoes this: when I requested my 11th exam results from 1966, the school had them when I was 30, but they were purged a decade later. This highlights the importance of requesting records while they are still available.

Conclusion

While the quest for your 1966 IQ test results may be challenging, starting with your school administration office or contacting relevant state entities is the best approach. Additionally, exploring legal avenues under the Data Protection Act can provide another avenue. Regardless of the outcome, persistence and thorough documentation are key to your search.